About
A tuberous perennial, to 60cm tall, with long, lance-shaped leaves clasping the upright stems. Purple flowers are produced in ones or twos from mid- to late summer.
About the genus
Roscoea are tuberous perennials with arching, linear or lance-shaped leaves and showy orchid-like flowers in summer or autumn
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHNeutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Care notes
CultivationDoes best in moderately fertile, humus-rich, leafy, moist but well-drained, neutral soil, in a cool, sheltered site in partial shade. Plant tubers 15cm deep in winter or early spring. Apply a deep winter mulch in colder areas
PruningRemove faded flowers, the rest of the plant will die down naturally
PropagationPropagate by division of tubers in spring when growth is starting
Pest resistanceSlugs and vine weevils may be a problem
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a virus